Deryn Mackay of Khan, Blackrock, Co Dublin: "There's a whole new look with things like boiled wool and more wearable separates; that's a different feel for us because we're so suit-oriented. Cerise pink, violet, pale grey and black - we'll never lose our black - are what we're buying. A new name is Megan Park; it's all embroidery, beaded, soft, floaty chiffon, just beautiful."

Shelley Corkery, The Design Centre, Dublin: "The big colour is a deep raspberry or a blueish purple; everyone's seen enough black. There are lots of very Japanese clothes, very angular. Skirts are all longer, to below the knee - even the coats are that length. There's lots of boiled wool around and felt and we've seen lots of geometric shapes and pocket belts."

Mary McSweeney and Margaret McNamara, Les Jumelles, Galway: "Prominent colours for us in the autumn will be gold, silver, amethyst and red. Black and grey continue to be the most prominent in the classic suits, and they are still a strong feature for us; Louise Kennedy's cut and fabric are as impressive as always. The shows put on by John Rocha and Betty Jackson were both spectacular."

Karen Higgins, Brown Thomas, Dublin and Cork: "We're bringing back Burberry as a new piece for us. Colour-wise, it's going to be a white winter, but there's lots of other colour; everyone's tired of black. Military olive-green is strong, with orange as a bit of a highlight. Everything is still long, pants are wider and cropped and knitwear is big news."